Angry inmate threw bucket of urine over Leeds prison officers after missing phone call to his dying mother

Jake Mason carried out the attack without warning when he discovered his mother had died shortly after attempts to contact her from HMP Wealstun failed.

Leeds Crown Court heard the incident happened at the prison near Wetherby on March 14 last year.

Mason, a prolific offender who was serving a sentence for burglary, carried out the attack on an officer who tried to help him make a phone call.

Michael Smith, prosecuting, said the officer tried to obtain a pin number needed to make a call from custody but could not get through to the necessary prison department.

Mason said he would come back later after being told the department was busy.

The prosecutor said Mason did not appear angry and showed no animosity towards the officer.

The defendant approached the same officer later that day while holding a bucket.

The officer told Mason to take the bucket to the cleaning cupboard.

The prosecutor said the officer went to help Mason but the inmate threw the contents of the bucket over him.

Mr Smith said: "It went in his mouth and up his nose and he immediately knew it was urine."

Another officer was standing close by and was also hit by the liquid.

Mason then ran off down the prison wing but was chased and detained by the officers.

Mason said to them: "You should have let me have my phone call."

During the struggle Mason punched the officer and bit his finger.

The officer went to hospital after the attack where he was given antibiotics and a hepatitis booster injection.

Mr Smith said the same officer had been the victim of a previous similar attack by a different inmate.

He said: "The officer was disgusted and appalled by the attack."

Mason, 22, pleaded guilty to administering a noxious liquid and two offences of common assault.

He has previous convictions for assaulting police officers and emergency workers.

Andrew Stranex, mitigating, said Mason carried out the attack after discovering his mother had passed away before he could speak to her for the last time.

Mason appeared in court via video link from HMP Northumberland.

He read a letter of apology to the court.

Mason said: "I'm really sorry for what I have done.

"It was unforgivable and disgusting. I'm not proud of it.

"My head was in a bad place when I did it.

"Losing my mum and dad while I have been in here has made me think about what I have done and why I am here.

"I know it needs to stop. I know if I don't I will be in jail for the rest of my life. I can't cope with jail no more."

Mason said his grandmother was ill and asked Judge Penelope Belcher to consider imposing a suspended sentence so he could see her.

He added: "Whatever you give me, I know I deserve it because what I did was wrong."

Mason was jailed for 14 months.